U.S. patent application number 11/603488 was filed with the patent office on 2008-05-22 for method and system for automatically identifying and displaying vessel plaque views.
This patent application is currently assigned to GENERAL ELECTRIC COMPANY. Invention is credited to Gopal B. Avinash, Sandeep Dutta, Deann Marie Haas, Patricia Le Nezet, Saad Ahmed Sirohey, John V. Skinner.
Application Number | 20080118131 11/603488 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 39417003 |
Filed Date | 2008-05-22 |
United States Patent
Application |
20080118131 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Skinner; John V. ; et
al. |
May 22, 2008 |
Method and system for automatically identifying and displaying
vessel plaque views
Abstract
A method for processing computed tomography (CT) datasets
comprises identifying regions of interest (ROIs) within a CT
dataset is provided. The ROIs are ranked based on a comparison to
at least one predetermined parameter. The ranking determines a
level of importance for the ROIs with respect to each other. A list
of the ROIs is provided on a display, the list indicating the ROIs
based on an associated level of importance. The ROIs are selectable
with a user interface.
Inventors: |
Skinner; John V.; (New
Berlin, WI) ; Avinash; Gopal B.; (New Berlin, WI)
; Sirohey; Saad Ahmed; (Pewaukee, WI) ; Dutta;
Sandeep; (Waukesha, WI) ; Nezet; Patricia Le;
(Le Pecq, FR) ; Haas; Deann Marie; (Port
Washington, WI) |
Correspondence
Address: |
DEAN D. SMALL;THE SMALL PATENT LAW GROUP LLP
611 OLIVE STREET, SUITE 1611
ST. LOUIS
MO
63101
US
|
Assignee: |
GENERAL ELECTRIC COMPANY
|
Family ID: |
39417003 |
Appl. No.: |
11/603488 |
Filed: |
November 22, 2006 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
382/131 |
Current CPC
Class: |
A61B 6/507 20130101;
G06K 2009/00932 20130101; G06T 7/0012 20130101; G06T 2207/30101
20130101; G06T 19/00 20130101; G06T 2207/10072 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
382/131 |
International
Class: |
G06K 9/00 20060101
G06K009/00 |
Claims
1. A method for processing computed tomography (CT) datasets,
comprising: identifying regions of interest (ROIs) within a CT
dataset; ranking the ROIs based on a comparison to at least one
predetermined parameter, the ranking determining a level of
importance for the ROIs with respect to each other; and providing a
list of the ROIs on a display, the list indicating the ROIs based
on an associated level of importance, the ROIs being selectable
within a user interface.
2. The method of claim 1, further comprising displaying at least
one image based on a selected ROI from the list as a result of a
selection made within the user interface.
3. The method of claim 1, further comprising displaying at least
one geometrically accurate image based on a selected ROI from the
list as a result of a selection made within the user interface.
4. The method of claim 1, further comprising: displaying at least
one geometrically accurate image based on a selected ROI from the
list as a result of a selection made with the user interface; and
displaying at least a second image representative of a global
representation based on the selected ROI.
5. The method of claim 1, wherein the ROIs comprise anatomy
indicating at least one of vessels and plaque within the vessels,
the ranking being based on a vulnerability associated with the
plaque.
6. The method of claim 1, wherein the list further comprises at
least one of a bookmarked list, links displayed within a window, a
pull-down menu, arrows, an anatomical model, and tabs.
7. The method of claim 1, further comprising: indicating a selected
ROI based on an input from the user interface, the selected ROI
comprising anatomy indicating a plaque deposit within a vessel;
identifying a cross-sectional view indicating a greatest
displacement of the plaque deposit with respect to the vessel wall;
and displaying the cross-sectional view.
8. The method of claim 1, further comprising: indicating a selected
ROI based on an input from the user interface, the selected ROI
comprising anatomy indicating a vessel branching point having at
least first and second branching vessels; identifying an optimal
viewing angle within the selected ROI indicating a greatest
distance between vessel walls of at least one of the first and
second branching vessels; and displaying an optimal view based on
the optimal viewing angle, the optimal view displaying a
geometrically accurate representation of the selected ROI.
9. A system for processing images, comprising: a processor
identifying regions of interest (ROIs) comprising image data within
a diagnostic dataset; a prioritizing module coupled to the
processor, the prioritizing module creating a prioritized list of
the ROIs based on a vulnerability score associated with each of the
ROIs; and a optimal view module coupled to the processor and the
prioritizing module, the optimal view module determining an optimal
viewing angle for each of the ROIs based on the image data within
the ROI.
10. The system of claim 9, further comprising a display coupled to
the processor for displaying an optimal view based on the optimal
viewing angle, the optimal view providing a geometrically accurate
representation of the image data within an ROI.
11. The system of claim 9, further comprising: a display coupled to
the processor, the display displaying the prioritized list of the
ROIs; and a user interface for selecting an ROI from the
prioritized list, the display displaying at least one view based on
the ROI.
12. The system of claim 9, wherein the image data further comprises
anatomy indicating at least one of vessels and plaque within the
vessels, the vulnerability score being based on at least one of a
vulnerability associated with the plaque and a location of the
plaque relative to surrounding anatomy within the diagnostic
dataset.
13. A method for processing images, comprising: identifying regions
of interest (ROIs) comprising image data within a diagnostic
dataset; forming a prioritized list of the ROIs based on a
vulnerability score associated with each of the ROIs; and
determining an optimal viewing angle for each of the ROIs based on
the image data within the ROI.
14. The method of claim 13, further comprising: bookmarking the
prioritized list; and displaying at least a portion of the
prioritized list, each of the ROIs within the prioritized list
being selectable with a user interface.
15. The method of claim 13, wherein the image data comprises at
least a vessel and a plaque deposit within the vessel, the
vulnerability scores being based on a potential of the plaque
deposit to dislocate from the vessel wall.
16. The method of claim 13, wherein the image data comprises at
least a vessel and a plaque deposit within the vessel, the optimal
viewing angle being based on a greatest displacement of the plaque
deposit from a vessel wall of the vessel.
17. The method of claim 13, wherein the image data comprises at
least a vessel and a plaque deposit within the vessel, the optimal
viewing angle being based on a maximum amount of occlusion within
the vessel.
18. The method of claim 13, wherein the image data comprises a
vessel branching point having at least first and second branching
vessels, the optimal viewing angle being based on a greatest
distance between vessel walls of at least one of the first and
second branching vessels.
19. The method of claim 13, wherein the image data comprises a
vessel branching point having first and second branching vessels,
the optimal viewing angle indicating a greatest distance between
vessel walls of both of the first and second branching vessels.
20. The method of claim 13, further comprising: accepting an input
from the user interface indicating a selected ROI from the
prioritized list; displaying a geometrically accurate
representation of the selected ROI based on the optimal viewing
angle; and displaying at least a second image based on the selected
ROI, the second image being one of a global image, a planar image,
a geometrically accurate image, and a 3D image.
Description
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0001] This invention relates generally to processing computer
tomography (CT) datasets, and more particularly, to determining
optimal views of structures such as plaque deposits within
vessels.
[0002] Cardiovascular related deaths constitute more than 500,000
people annually in the USA, and much more globally. A major portion
of the deaths are attributed to coronary artery disease, where the
chief culprit is the build up of plaque, such as soft plaque and
its ruptures, as well as hard plaque or calcification.
[0003] Plaque deposits are analyzed for size, location and
composition, for example. Coronary plaque has been classified into
six stages according to the Stary scale. According to general
consensus, it is crucial to determine the plaque in stages 4 and 5.
At this level, the plaque constitutes critical vulnerable plaque
and could lead to rupture or dislodging of the plaque, causing
blockages and leading to myocardial infarction.
[0004] Newer scanning technologies, such as Volume Computed
Tomography (VCT) and associated increases in spatial and temporal
resolution have made it possible to image a contrasted study of the
heart which is gated to mitigate heart motion. Using these images,
it is possible to distinguish soft plaque from lumen (the vessel
wall) and from calcification. However, the regions of interest
(ROIs) within which the plaque deposits are located are small, and
determining the desired orientation of the ROI to best view the
deposit or other structure of interest within the vessel is time
consuming. Also, many plaque deposits may be present, and
navigating through the image dataset to review all or the majority
of the deposits to identify the most vulnerable may require
substantial time and resources.
[0005] Therefore, a need exists for automating aspects of locating
and displaying deposits within the vessels. Certain embodiments of
the present invention are intended to meet these needs and other
objectives that will become apparent from the description and
drawings set forth below.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
[0006] In one embodiment, a method for processing computed
tomography (CT) datasets comprises identifying regions of interest
(ROIs) within a CT dataset. The ROIs are ranked based on a
comparison to at least one predetermined parameter. The ranking
determines a level of importance for the ROIs with respect to each
other. A list of the ROIs is provided on a display, the list
indicating the ROIs based on an associated level of importance. The
ROIs are selectable with a user interface.
[0007] In another embodiment, a system for processing images
comprises a processor identifying ROIs comprising image data within
a diagnostic dataset. A prioritizing module is coupled to the
processor for creating a prioritized list of the ROIs based on a
vulnerability score associated with each of the ROIs. An optimal
view module is coupled to the processor and the prioritizing module
for determining an optimal viewing angle for each of the ROIs based
on the image data within the ROI.
[0008] In another embodiment, a method for processing images
comprises identifying ROIs comprising image data within a
diagnostic dataset. A prioritized list of the ROIs is formed based
on a vulnerability score associated with each of the ROIs. An
optimal viewing angle is determined for each of the ROIs based on
the image data within the ROI.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0009] FIG. 1 illustrates a pictorial view of a computed tomography
(CT) imaging system in accordance with an embodiment of the present
invention.
[0010] FIG. 2 illustrates a block diagram of the system of FIG. 1
in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention.
[0011] FIG. 3 illustrates a method for automatically creating a
prioritized list of regions of interest (ROIs) within a CT dataset
in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention.
[0012] FIG. 4 illustrates a method for automatically calculating
optimal viewing angles of lesions for display in accordance with an
embodiment of the present invention.
[0013] FIG. 5 illustrates a display with an interface for
displaying the prioritized list of ROIs and multiple viewports in
accordance with an embodiment of the present invention.
[0014] FIG. 6 illustrates optimized views of an ROI having a
lesion, such as a plaque deposit, within a vessel in accordance
with an embodiment of the present invention.
[0015] FIG. 7 illustrates an optimized view of another ROI having a
vessel branching point with first and second branching vessels in
accordance with an embodiment of the present invention.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
[0016] The foregoing summary, as well as the following detailed
description of certain embodiments of the present invention, will
be better understood when read in conjunction with the appended
drawings. To the extent that the figures illustrate diagrams of the
functional blocks of various embodiments, the functional blocks are
not necessarily indicative of the division between hardware
circuitry. Thus, for example, one or more of the functional blocks
(e.g., processors or memories) may be implemented in a single piece
of hardware (e.g., a general purpose signal processor or random
access memory, hard disk, or the like). Similarly, the programs may
be stand alone programs, may be incorporated as subroutines in an
operating system, may be functions in an installed software
package, and the like. It should be understood that the various
embodiments are not limited to the arrangements and instrumentality
shown in the drawings.
[0017] FIG. 1 illustrates a pictorial view of a computed tomography
(CT) imaging system 10. The system 10 includes a gantry 12
representative of a "third generation" CT imaging system. FIG. 2
illustrates a block diagram of the system 10 of FIG. 1, and will be
discussed together with FIG. 1.
[0018] The gantry 12 has an x-ray source 14 that projects a beam of
x-rays 16 toward a detector array 18 on the opposite side of the
gantry 12. The detector array 18 is formed by a plurality of
detector rows (not shown) including a plurality of detector
elements 20 which together sense the projected x-rays that pass
through an object, such as a medical patient 22. Each detector
element 20 produces an electrical signal that represents the
intensity of an impinging x-ray beam and hence the attenuation of
the beam as it passes through the patient 22. During a scan to
acquire x-ray projection data, the gantry 12 and the components
mounted thereon rotate about a center of rotation 24. FIG. 2 shows
only a single row of detector elements 20 (i.e., a detector row).
However, multi-slice detector array 18 includes a plurality of
parallel detector rows of detector elements 20 such that projection
data corresponding to a plurality of quasi-parallel or parallel
slices can be acquired simultaneously during a scan.
[0019] Rotation of the gantry 12 and the operation of the x-ray
source 14 are governed by a control mechanism 26 of the CT system
10. The control mechanism 26 includes an x-ray controller 28 that
provides power and timing signals to the x-ray source 14 and a
gantry motor controller 30 that controls the rotational speed and
position of the gantry 12. A data acquisition system (DAS) 32 in
the control mechanism 26 samples analog data from the detector
elements 20 and converts the data to digital signals for subsequent
processing. An image reconstructor 34 receives sampled and
digitized x-ray data from the DAS 32 and performs high-speed image
reconstruction. The reconstructed image is applied as an input to a
processor 36 which stores the image in memory 38.
[0020] The processor 36 also receives commands and scanning
parameters from an operator via user interface 40 that has input
devices such as a keyboard, mouse, trackball and the like. An
associated display 42 allows the operator to observe the
reconstructed image and other data from the processor 36.
Optionally, operator input may be provided through a touch screen
monitor. The operator supplied commands and parameters are used by
the processor 36 to provide control signals and information to the
DAS 32, x-ray controller 28, and gantry motor controller 30. In
addition, the processor 36 operates a table motor controller 44
which controls a motorized table 46 to position the patient 22 with
respect to the gantry 12. Particularly, the table 46 moves portions
of the patient 22 through gantry opening 48.
[0021] In one embodiment, the processor 36 includes a device 50,
for example, a floppy disk drive or CD-ROM drive, for reading
instructions and/or data from a computer-readable medium 52, such
as a floppy disk or CD-ROM. In another embodiment, the processor 36
executes instructions stored in firmware (not shown). The processor
36 is programmed to perform functions described herein, and as used
herein, the term processor is not limited to just those integrated
circuits referred to in the art as processors, but broadly refers
to computers, processors, microcontrollers, microcomputers,
programmable logic controllers, application specific integrated
circuits, and other programmable circuits, and these terms are used
interchangeably herein.
[0022] A prioritizing module 54 is provided within the memory 38
for determining a prioritized list of lesions or regions of
interest based on desired parameters within a CT dataset. The
prioritized list is selectable, such as a list of bookmarks, which
may be prioritized or ranked based on factors such as
vulnerability, percentage of occlusion, extent of a lesion from a
vessel wall, as well as other factors. When the user selects a
bookmark, an optimal view module 56 automatically computes an
optimal view for the indicated data.
[0023] Also, it should be understood that the processor 36, memory
38, user interface 40, and display 42 and may be provided separate
from the system 10 for processing data. The acquired CT datasets
may be transferred over a network, internet, by portable disk, and
the like, for processing at a location remote from the system
10.
[0024] FIG. 3 illustrates a method for automatically creating a
prioritized list of regions of interest (ROIs) within a CT dataset.
At 100, the processor 36 segments the CT dataset to locate the
complete coronary vessel tree. Alternatively, other anatomy may be
imaged, such as peripheral vasculature within limbs and carotid
vessel tree. Although CT datasets are discussed, the prioritization
may also be applied to segmented datasets acquired with other
modalities.
[0025] At 102, the processor 36 defines the ROIs within the vessel
tree. An analysis of the CT dataset may be accomplished to
automatically detect lesions such as hard and soft plaque deposits.
The ROIs may then be based on the data within the CT dataset, such
as by the size of a deposit, composition of a deposit, and the
presence of more than one deposit within a predetermined area or
separated by a predetermined distance. ROIs may also be
predetermined, such as by automatically dividing the segmented
vessel tree into areas based on vessel branches, a predetermined
maximum or minimum size of ROI, user defined vessels of interest,
and the like.
[0026] At 104, the processor 36 performs a vulnerability scoring by
comparing the ROIs to at least one predetermined parameter. The
vulnerability scoring may take one or more factors into
consideration to determine whether the deposit exhibits a low,
medium, or high level of risk to the patient 22, such as by
dislocation or occlusion based on size, location, or composition.
The predetermined parameters may be a location of a deposit with
respect to other anatomical landmarks, a size or volume of a
deposit, extent or peak distance of a deposit from the vessel
surface, a composition of a deposit, location of a deposit with
respect to a branching vessel, movement of the tissue proximate to
a deposit, intensity of voxels within the ROI, and the like. For
calcium or hard plaque deposits, a vulnerability score may be
determined which is an aggregation of hounsfield numbers for the
plaque deposits, then compared to a predetermined score that
provides an indication of risk.
[0027] At 106, the prioritizing module 54 performs a ranking of the
ROIs based on at least the vulnerability score determined at 104.
The ROIs may be ranked from most vulnerable, the lesion and/or ROI
which presents the highest potential risk to the patient 22, to the
least vulnerable. Within a single CT dataset, there may be many
detected ROIs which previously provided an overwhelming amount of
data for the user to analyze. By ranking the ROIs, the user can
review the most vulnerable lesions first rather than searching for
the most vulnerable lesions and manually ranking the lesions.
Optionally, the prioritizing module 54 may identify a sub-set of
the ROIs reflecting the ROIs which are the most vulnerable. The
number of ROIs within the sub-set may be predetermined or based on
a percentage of the total number of ROIs detected, for example.
Optionally, the prioritizing module 54 may organize the ROIs into a
plurality of sub-groups based on vulnerability scoring, such as
into three sub-groups. All of the ROIs within a sub-group may be
assigned the same number and/or a display color or other indicator
to indicate level of vulnerability.
[0028] At 108, the prioritizing module 54 creates a prioritized
list of ROIs by order of vulnerability or based on an associated
level of importance. The prioritized list may also provide
cross-reference data to anatomical information within an anatomical
atlas, and may define the vessel and/or anatomical location of the
ROI. The prioritized list is used to provide an interface through
which the user can easily select and view particular ROIs.
[0029] Optionally, at 110 the optimal view module 56 may calculate
optimal viewing angles for all or a sub-set, if identified, of the
ROIs, which is discussed further below. The calculated optimal
viewing angles may then be saved in the digital file associated
with the patient 22 in the memory 38. The optimal viewing angles
may later be quickly retrieved and an optimal view displayed as
discussed below.
[0030] FIG. 4 illustrates a method for automatically calculating
optimal viewing angles of lesions for display. An optimal viewing
angle may be based on the context of the image data within the ROI,
and is typically unique for each ROI. It can be time consuming for
the user to move through the image data to find the optimal viewing
angle. By automatically presenting an optimal view based on the
optimal viewing angle, the user may quickly evaluate the image and
make desired calculations and measurements.
[0031] At 120, the prioritizing module 54 presents at least a
portion of the prioritized list of ROIs or lesions to the user on
the display 42. FIG. 5 illustrates the display 42 with an interface
164 displaying the prioritized list of ROIs and first, second,
third through N viewports 142, 144, 146 and 148 indicated. The
interface 164 may be any graphical user interface providing the
ability for the user to interact with the prioritized list of ROIs.
In this example, the interface 164 displays a bookmarked list
140.
[0032] The bookmarked list 140 may be displayed anywhere on the
display 42, and may be a variety of sizes. The bookmarks within the
bookmarked list 140 may be "live" wherein the user may directly
select one with the user interface 40, such as by clicking on the
text with a mouse or touching the text if the display 42 is a
touchscreen. Alternatively, a selection may be made using voice
commands. The user may drag the bookmarked list 140 to a different
position using the user interface 40, change the size of the
display window, and scroll through the ROIs and lesions displayed
on the bookmarked list 140 by using scroll bar 150. Optionally,
arrows 160 and 162, or other indicators, may be provided to step
backwards and forwards, respectively, to sequence through the
bookmarked list 140.
[0033] Alternatively, the bookmarked list 140 may be presented in
any other user interface format or combinations of formats, such as
a pull-down menu, individual tabs, presented graphically on a 3D
model, and displayed on a second monitor separate from the display
42. The bookmarks within the bookmarked list 140 may also be
presented in sub-groups based on anatomical location or
vulnerability. Each of the bookmarks may be displayed with a
ranking number or color indicating an associated level of
priority.
[0034] At 122 of FIG. 4, the user selects an ROI with the user
interface 40, such as first ROI 152. At 124, the optimal view
module 56 calculates at least one key or optimal viewing angle for
displaying the first ROI 152. The optimal viewing angle is
determined based on the context of the image data within the first
ROI 152, and reflects a plane which intersects through an ideal
point of the lesion or other anatomy within the first ROI 152. The
optimal view module 56 may analyze potential views having different
angles through the first ROI 152 to determine the optimal viewing
angle. The optimal viewing angle may be based on a desired display
of one or more of a type of lesion within the first ROI 152, an
ideal point or plane indicating a peak or highest point of a plaque
deposit, a plane having a maximum amount of occlusion within a
vessel, and a largest cross-section of a branching vessel.
[0035] More than one key view may be desired based on the lesion
and anatomy within an ROI. For example, if the ROI comprises a
branching vessel, the optimal view module 56 may calculate a first
optimal viewing angle to display the largest cross-section of the
branching vessel and a second optimal viewing angle to display the
peak of a plaque deposit. Also, if more than one plaque deposit is
present within an ROI, the optimal view module 56 may calculate
optimal viewing angles for each of the plaque deposits.
[0036] At 126, the processor 36 displays at least one optimal view
based on the at least one optimal view angle in at least one
viewport on the display 42. The optimal view may be a reformat or
volume rendering view, for example, which is optimized locally
rather than globally. For example, the optimal view may be a
reformat view which is a geometrically true representation of the
anatomical data. Therefore, the user may easily perform
measurements and calculations on the reformat view. For example, in
FIG. 5 the user may select the first ROI 152 from the bookmarked
list 140, the optimal view module 56 calculates the optimal viewing
angle for displaying the lesion within the first ROI 152, and then
the processor 36 displays the optimal view based on the optimal
viewing angle in the first viewport 142.
[0037] FIG. 6 illustrates optimized views of an ROI having a
lesion, such as a plaque deposit 170, within a vessel 172. The
optimal view module 56 calculates an optimal viewing angle based on
a maximum height or peak of the plaque deposit 170, which is a
point of greatest displacement of the plaque with respect to the
vessel wall. Alternatively, if the optimal view module 56
previously calculated the optimal viewing angle (such as at 110 of
FIG. 3), the optimal view module 56 may retrieve the optimal
viewing angle from the memory 38. The processor 36 may display
first and/or second optimal views 174 and 176 based on the optimal
viewing angle which are two different cross-reference views through
the peak of the plaque deposit 170. The first and second optimal
views 174 and 176 may be reformat views and displayed in the first
and second viewports 142 and 144 of the display 42 (FIG. 5), for
example.
[0038] FIG. 7 illustrates an optimized view of a different ROI
having a vessel branching point 180 with first and second branching
vessels 184 and 186. The optimal view module 56 calculates an
optimal viewing angle based on the widest or largest cross-section
of the first and second branching vessels 184 and 186, which may be
based on a least squares condition. The processor 36 then displays
optimal view 182, which in this example is a least squares reformat
plane. Alternatively, the optimal viewing angle may be based on the
greatest distance between the vessel walls of at least one of the
first and second branching vessels 184 and 186. Alternatively, the
optimal view module 56 may also consider topological placement of
deposits (not shown) with reference to other anatomical locations
within the branching vessel.
[0039] At 128 of FIG. 4, the processor 36 displays associated views
in one or more other viewports on the display 42. Each displayed
view may have a common 3D cursor providing synchronized viewing, as
well as a global reference for all displayed views. The associated
views may be any typically available view or traditional view, and
may be globally optimized. For example, one or more of a global
image, a planar image, a geometrically accurate image and a 3D
image may be displayed.
[0040] At 130, the user may interact with the optimal view, as well
as the other associated views, to measure parameters, perform
calculations, and/or change the optimal viewing angle of the
optimal view with the user interface 40. For example, location,
size and composition of plaque deposits can be measured and
analyzed, as well as parameters associated with blood flow,
diameter and restrictions within the vessel. The user may also save
data, input data, record findings and recommendations, and the
like. The saved data may be linked to the ROI being displayed for
future reference, printing and viewing.
[0041] At 132, if the user wishes to select another ROI or lesion
for viewing, the method returns to 122. Otherwise, the method is
finished. If another ROI or lesion is selected, the first through
fourth viewports 142-148 are all updated with data related to the
currently selected ROI.
[0042] In another embodiment, the optimal view module 56 may
calculate one or more optimal view angles automatically, such as
for the first ROI 152, second ROI 154, third ROI 156, and fourth
ROI 158, which have been determined to be the most vulnerable. The
processor 36 may then automatically display the optimal views
associated with the first through fourth ROIs 152-158 within the
first through fourth viewports 142-148, respectively.
[0043] A technical effect is automatically determining a
prioritized list of lesions and/or ROIs within a vessel tree of a
segmented CT dataset. The ROIs have plaque deposits within vessels
or other structures of interest. The prioritized list may organize
the list of ROIs based on vulnerability to lesion dislocation or
other critical concern to the patient 22. An optimal viewing angle
is automatically calculated for each of the ROIs based on context
of the image data and other predetermined parameters to provide an
optimal view of the deposit or other structure on a display.
[0044] While the invention has been described in terms of various
specific embodiments, those skilled in the art will recognize that
the invention can be practiced with modification within the spirit
and scope of the claims.
* * * * *